Most people know there are different specialties in medicine, like family medicine, cardiology, pediatrics, orthopedics, but many are surprised to learn there are also two fully licensed types of physicians in the United States: Doctors of Medicine (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs).
If you’ve noticed that Dr. Starkman has the letters “DO” after his name, you may be wondering what that means and whether it affects the care you’ll receive.
The short answer is yes — but probably not in the way you think.
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What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are fully licensed physicians who diagnose illness, prescribe medications, order laboratory tests and imaging, perform medical procedures, and care for patients across every stage of life. They complete four years of medical school, participate in residency training, and meet the same licensing requirements as their MD colleagues.
The difference isn’t about what a DO is allowed to do. It’s about the philosophy that guides how they practice medicine.
At Osteopathic Healing Arts, we believe great healthcare begins with understanding the whole person, not just a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. That philosophy is at the heart of osteopathic medicine and one of the reasons patients are increasingly seeking physicians who take the time to listen, educate, and build lasting relationships.
Looking Beyond Symptoms
Imagine visiting your doctor because you’ve been dealing with frequent headaches. One approach is to focus on relieving the headache itself. Another is to ask why the headaches are happening in the first place.
Are they related to muscle tension? Poor posture? Stress? Sleep quality? A medication side effect? An underlying medical condition? Something happening at work or home?
Osteopathic medicine looks beyond the immediate symptom and considers how different aspects of a person’s health, lifestyle, and environment may be connected.
That doesn’t mean every problem has a simple explanation, nor does it replace modern diagnostics or evidence-based medicine. Instead, it means taking the time to understand the bigger picture before deciding on the best course of treatment.
Sometimes that treatment involves medication. Sometimes it involves lifestyle changes, preventive care, hands-on treatment, or simply spending enough time asking the right questions.
The Four Principles of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic medicine is built on four guiding principles that have shaped the profession for more than a century. While they may sound academic at first, they’re surprisingly practical in everyday healthcare.
1. The Body Functions as a Whole
Our bodies are incredibly interconnected. A problem affecting one system can influence another in ways that aren’t always obvious.
For example, chronic stress may contribute to poor sleep, elevated blood pressure, digestive issues, or persistent muscle tension. An old ankle injury may change the way someone walks, eventually leading to knee, hip, or lower back discomfort.
Rather than viewing each symptom in isolation, osteopathic physicians look for relationships that may explain why a problem developed and how it can be addressed more effectively.
2. The Body Has an Incredible Capacity to Heal
The human body is remarkably resilient. Whether you’re recovering from an illness, healing after an injury, or managing a chronic condition, your body is constantly working to restore balance.
One goal of osteopathic medicine is to support those natural healing processes whenever possible. That may include identifying obstacles that are slowing recovery, improving mobility, addressing mechanical issues within the musculoskeletal system, encouraging healthy lifestyle habits, or helping patients better understand their own health.
3. Structure and Function Work Together
Muscles, joints, connective tissue, nerves, and circulation all influence one another. When movement is restricted or the body isn’t functioning efficiently, it can contribute to discomfort or reduced mobility.
This principle is one reason some osteopathic physicians use Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach designed to help improve motion and support the body’s natural function when appropriate. Not every patient or condition needs OMT, but it represents one additional tool that may be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan.
4. Treatment Should Be Personalized
Two people with the same diagnosis may have different medical histories, different lifestyles, different goals, and different treatment preferences.
Osteopathic medicine recognizes that effective healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all. Recommendations should be based not only on medical evidence, but also on the individual sitting in the exam room.
For one patient, that may mean medication. For another, it may involve exercise, nutritional changes, stress management, physical therapy, OMT, or a combination of approaches.
The best treatment plan is one that’s built around the patient, not just the condition.
A Brief History of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic medicine has its roots in the late 1800s. Frustrated by many of the medical treatments available at the time, Andrew Taylor Still believed physicians should focus not only on treating disease but also on understanding the body’s natural ability to heal and the factors that contribute to overall health.
In 1892, Dr. Still founded the first school of osteopathic medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. His ideas emphasized careful observation, a thorough understanding of anatomy, preventive care, and the relationship between the body’s structure and its function. Those principles laid the foundation for what would become the osteopathic medical profession.
Since then, osteopathic medicine has evolved alongside advances in modern science and healthcare. Today’s Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine receive the same rigorous medical education as other physicians while also completing additional training in the musculoskeletal system and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).
Modern osteopathic physicians practice in every area of medicine, including family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, surgery, cardiology, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and many other specialties. They work in hospitals, private practices, academic medical centers, military healthcare systems, and community clinics throughout the United States.
While medicine has changed dramatically over the past century, the core philosophy of osteopathic medicine has remained remarkably consistent: every patient deserves thoughtful, individualized care that considers the whole person rather than focusing solely on a diagnosis.
That philosophy aligns naturally with the approach we take at Osteopathic Healing Arts. By combining the principles of osteopathic medicine with the personalized model of Direct Primary Care, we strive to provide healthcare that is comprehensive, relationship-driven, and focused on helping patients achieve their best possible health.
What Conditions Do Osteopathic Physicians Treat?
One misconception about osteopathic medicine is that it’s only focused on the muscles, bones, and joints. While osteopathic physicians receive extensive training in the musculoskeletal system, their scope of practice extends far beyond back pain and sports injuries.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are fully licensed physicians who provide comprehensive medical care for patients of all ages. Depending on their specialty, they diagnose and treat everything from high blood pressure and diabetes to respiratory infections, digestive disorders, skin conditions, and mental health concerns.
Dr. Starkman cares for many of the same health concerns you would expect from any primary care provider, including:
- Annual wellness visits and preventive care
- Acute illnesses such as colds, flu, and infections
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes and prediabetes
- High cholesterol
- Thyroid disorders
- Asthma and allergies
- Digestive concerns
- Joint and muscle pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Weight management
- Women’s and men’s health concerns
- Preventive screenings and health counseling
When appropriate, an osteopathic physician may also consider how posture, movement, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and other factors contribute to a patient’s symptoms. This broader perspective often leads to conversations that might not happen during a brief, traditional office visit.
OMT is One More Tool for Patient Care
One aspect of osteopathic medicine that sets it apart is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, commonly known as OMT.
OMT is a hands-on approach that may be used to diagnose, treat, and help prevent certain conditions affecting muscles, joints, connective tissues, and other parts of the body. Using a variety of gentle techniques, an osteopathic physician can evaluate how the body’s structure may be affecting its function.
Depending on the situation, OMT may be considered for conditions such as:
- Neck and back pain
- Certain types of headaches
- Joint pain
- Sports-related injuries
- Muscle tension
- Pregnancy-related discomfort
- Restricted mobility
OMT is never a one-size-fits-all treatment, and it isn’t appropriate for every patient or every condition. Instead, it’s one additional option that may be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan when it aligns with a patient’s needs and medical history.
We explore OMT in much greater detail on its own page, including what treatment feels like, who may benefit, and what to expect during an appointment.
Osteopathic Medicine and Direct Primary Care Together
At Osteopathic Healing Arts, osteopathic medicine isn’t simply a credential after the physician’s name; it’s a philosophy that complements the Direct Primary Care model.
Traditional primary care practices often face significant time pressures. Physicians may have only a few minutes to evaluate a patient, review medical records, address multiple concerns, complete documentation, and move to the next appointment.
Direct Primary Care creates the opportunity for a different experience. By limiting the size of the practice and removing many of the administrative burdens associated with insurance, the providers at Osteopathic Healing Arts can spend more time listening, asking questions, educating patients, and developing personalized care plans.
That extra time supports many of the same principles that define osteopathic medicine, like building long-term relationships with patients instead of simply treating isolated illnesses. The result is healthcare that feels more personal, more collaborative, and better tailored to each individual.
Common Misconceptions About Osteopathic Medicine
Because the term “osteopathic” isn’t familiar to everyone, it’s understandable that patients sometimes have questions.
“Is a DO a Real Doctor?”
Absolutely.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are fully licensed physicians who complete four years of medical school, residency training, licensing examinations, and continuing medical education requirements. They prescribe medications, order diagnostic testing, admit patients to hospitals, and practice in every medical specialty.
“Is Osteopathic Medicine the Same as Chiropractic Care?”
No. While both professions may use hands-on techniques, they are separate healthcare disciplines with different education, training, and scopes of practice.
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a fully licensed physician who provides complete medical care. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment is one of many tools that may be used alongside medications, preventive care, diagnostic testing, and other evidence-based treatments.
“Is Osteopathic Medicine the Same as Homeopathy?”
No. This is a common point of confusion. The words sound similar, but osteopathic medicine is a branch of modern medical practice provided by fully licensed physicians. Homeopathy is an entirely different system with its own history and principles.
Why Patients Choose an Osteopathic Physician
Every patient has different reasons for choosing a healthcare provider. Some are looking for a physician who will spend more time listening. Others want someone who emphasizes prevention instead of waiting for problems to become more serious.
Some appreciate a physician who considers lifestyle, stress, nutrition, movement, and other factors alongside traditional medical treatment. Others are interested in learning whether Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment may play a role in managing certain conditions.
Ultimately, patients choose osteopathic physicians for the same reason they choose any healthcare provider: they want someone they trust.
At Osteopathic Healing Arts, our goal is to combine evidence-based medicine with compassionate, individualized care that helps patients better understand their health and make informed decisions about their treatment.
Experience a More Personal Approach to Primary Care
Healthcare works best when patients and physicians have the time to build a relationship.
Whether you’re looking for a new primary care physician, exploring Direct Primary Care, or simply curious about osteopathic medicine, we’re here to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about your health.
If you’d like to learn more about our approach to patient care or schedule a visit, we’d love the opportunity to meet you.